Backcountry Skiing and the Michigan Telemark Festival

February 9, 2010 – 7:52 am

Nick writes: Yes, it's true. You don't have to live in Utah to ski the deep stuff. Here's some nice tele turns in a couple of unknown locations in northern Michigan.

300px-Telemarker_HQThe skiers in the video above are using telemark skis, about which Wikipedia says:

Telemark skiing is a term used for skiing using the Telemark turn. It is also known as " free heel skiing." Unlike alpine skiing equipment, the skis used for telemarking have a binding that only connects the boot to the ski at the toes, just as in cross-country skiing...

The Telemark turn came to the attention of the Norwegian public in 1868, when Sondre Norheim took part in a ski jumping competition. Norheim's technique of fluid turns soon dominated skiing, and in Norway it continued to do well into the next century. Starting in the 1910s, newer techniques based on the stem gradually replaced Telemark in the Alpine countries. Newer techniques were easier to master and enabled shorter turns better suited for steeper alpine terrain and skiing downhill. The Telemark turn became the technique of ski touring in rolling terrain.

Speaking of telemark skiing & Northern Michigan, Pure Michigan notes that the Michigan Telemark Festival takes place February 19-21 at The Homestead Resort. The event features telemark demos, clinics for all ability levels and more - call (231) 334-5000 for details.

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Destinations, Dig Michigan, Festivals, Attractions & Event Calendars, Lodging & Travel, Media, Michigan, Recreation & Sports, Skiing, Television & Internet Video, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

State of the Art in Ypsilanti, 1926

February 8, 2010 – 7:54 am

774px-Schreibtelegraf_nach_Morse_1880Laura Bien has a great feature on how "lightning slingers" kept Ypsilantians updated on the saga of Irving Berlin and socialite Ellin Mackay with The 1926 Modem on North Huron Street. It begins:

In the fall of 1925, Ypsilantians, and the nation, were transfixed by the romance of a onetime Lower East Side immigrant kid and a telegraph magnate’s daughter. Her wealthy father, Clarence, the son of Comstock Lode multimillionaire John Mackay, strongly disapproved of his Catholic daughter Ellin’s interest in a Jewish man with what he viewed as a disreputable occupation. Clarence refused to give Ellin his permission to marry. The couple waited in dismay for Clarence to change his mind.

Daily Ypsilantian-Press editor George Handy waited as well for the next tidbit of news—his readers loved the story.

In the fall of 1925, Ypsilantians, and the nation, were transfixed by the romance of a onetime Lower East Side immigrant kid and a telegraph magnate’s daughter. Her wealthy father, Clarence, the son of Comstock Lode multimillionaire John Mackay, strongly disapproved of his Catholic daughter Ellin’s interest in a Jewish man with what he viewed as a disreputable occupation. Clarence refused to give Ellin his permission to marry. The couple waited in dismay for Clarence to change his mind.

Daily Ypsilantian-Press editor George Handy waited as well for the next tidbit of news—his readers loved the story.

When in January of 1926 that news came from New York, it was a bombshell. Ellin Mackay had eloped with and married Irving Berlin.

Handy needed a wedding photograph from New York—and fast—this story was too big to wait for the mail. He called New York.

Half an hour later he had a photograph, thanks to the only modem in Ypsilanti in 1926.

Read on and see the photograph at YpsiNews.com and learn more about telegraphy and photos in Wikipedia!

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Blogs & Forums, Community, Dig Michigan, History & Libraries, Media, Newspapers | Comments (0)

Celebrate Valentine's Day the Michigan Way

February 8, 2010 – 2:40 am

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. - Confucius by Church of One
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. - Confucius by Church of One

The day for lovers, sweethearts, paramours and chocoholics is drawing near. Like it, love it, or hate it, Valentine's Day has become an annual tradition. Such a tradition, that according to the Greeting Card Association, over one billion valentines will be given out, and eighty five percent of those by women.

As you celebrate the holiday, consider making your day special with something from Michigan. There's plenty of delicious Valentine's Day recipes from Pure Michigan at Michigan.org. The Food Network also offers up some culinary advice on the 'Holiday's & Parties' section of their website. Lansing's WLNS CBS channel 6 website has a complete Valentine Day section on their website. Over at mlive.com you can check out "Valentine's Day is perfect for creating fun foods with kids".

Of course, if you're looking for something to compliment that tasty treat, consider the MDA's Wine Recommendations for that special day. According to the Wine Market Council and Merrill Research, a whopping 95 percent of wine drinkers agree that wine makes a perfect gift and 50% of both men and women said they would rather receive wine of Valentine’s Day, compared with 41% who preferred a box of chocolates. You can't go wrong with a Michigan wine!

Pure Michigan has put together a great selection of Romantic Escapes in Michigan. Their getaways and packages are perfect for couples who are looking to get away from it all (but not each other). Join the wineries of Leelanau, Old Mission & Traverse City for the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival Winter Wine Wonderland at the Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest at the Grand Traverse Resort for a celebration of wine, gourmet desserts, art & fun this Valentines Day.

Get a whole ton more events for the Valentine's Day/President's Day Weekend via Pure Michigan.

If you're left scratching your head over what to buy him or her, be sure to check out 'In tough times, Cupids can shoot for a bargain Valentine's Day' from The Detroit News or from WLNS.com, 'Valentine's Day Gift Giving Guide' for that perfect gift!

Don't forget the furry friends in your life, be a homeless pet's Valentine. WXYZ-TV 7 in Detroit is hosting their Annual Valentine's Day Telethon to support the Michigan Humane Society. Tune in or donate online!

If that's not enough and you really want to get your Valentine on, check out Absolute Michigan keyword Valentine for food & gift ideas.

For a little eye candy, you should check out the Valentine slideshow from the Absolute Michigan flickr pool!

We also have a large number of Michigan web sites to check out (though if we're missing one, be sure to add a link to it).

Flowers & Florists … say it with flowers

Chocolate … there's also candy companies

Candles … lighting the way for romance for thousands of years

Jewelry … silver & gold, platinum and bronze, pick your favorite.

Wow, you actually made it to the end of this post!

Now head over to NPR and check out their article 'Listeners Pick Love Songs for Valentine's Day'....

By Absolute Michigan | Posted in Articles, Artists & Galleries, Arts & Entertainment, Beer, Wine & Beverages, Books, Music & Video, Breweries & Wineries, Casual & Family Restaurants, Clothing, Dig Michigan, Dig Michigan Features, Dining Guides, Festivals, Attractions & Event Calendars, Fine Dining Restaurants, Food & Dining, Food, Health & Nutrition, Jewelry & Gifts, Michigan, Michigan Grown, Michigan Holiday Gift Guide, Performance & Dance, Recipes, Shopping, The Michigan Pages | Comments (1)

Photo Friday: Ski Jumping in Michigan by gkretovic

February 5, 2010 – 8:58 am

Ski Jumping in Michigan

gkretovic (Greg Kretovic) says that he lives for the outdoor and loves capturing it with his camera in unique ways, especially the opportunities offered by the Upper Peninsula.

He took this photo at last weekends Pine Mountain Ski Jumping Tournament. His sets include nature and you'll want to check out some of his tags including waterfalls and upper peninsula (slideshow).

Much more in his Flickriver.

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Michigan, Photo Friday, Photography & Film, Recreation & Sports, Skiing, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Mysteries of the Great Lakes in Grand Rapids IMAX

February 3, 2010 – 8:08 am

mysteries of the great lakesFrom mysteriesofthegreatlakes.com:

The giant screen film, Mysteries of the Great Lakes, is as much a celebration of Earth’s greatest freshwater ecosystem as it is a rallying cry for protection. The story will take audiences on an inspiring voyage through these amazing inland seas. In the film, a few stops along the way highlight the stories of three key species - one each from water, air and land. The film also turns the camera on us, as humans - by touching on the human interface with the Lakes including the role of shipping to commerce, the use of the Great Lakes’ water by the millions of people who rely on it for life, and the general sense of well-being that people receive from simply being near these massive bodies of water.

The scenery and wildlife footage captured through the IMAX lens for Mysteries of the Great Lakes is spectacular, with some shots being unlike anything ever captured for this medium before. Filming took the production crews from beneath the waves of the Wolf River in Wisconsin - where thousands of lake sturgeon, the world’s largest freshwater fish, thrashed in the shallow rapids en route to their spawning grounds - into the skies to shoot aerial footage of all of the Great Lakes.

Thanks nasunto for the find! The film opens February 12, 2010 at Celebration! Cinema in Grand Rapids.

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Boating, Diving & Beaches, Community, Dig Michigan, Environment & Environmental Organizations, Media, Michigan, Movies, Photography & Film, Recreation & Sports, Television & Internet Video, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Can Detroit return to transportation glory?

February 2, 2010 – 6:48 am
My Wheels Are TurningMy Wheels are Turning is a blog from Traverse City. It was created by Gary L. Howe to explore how and why it is we move, and to examine the values that we promote when we make those choices. It’s for walkers, bikers, motor vehicle users and users of other modes of transport.

Tune in at mywheelsareturning.com.

Public Transport = Jobs

My friend Sally sent me an email with a link to PR for a PBS special titled “Beyond the Motor City“. She included the message:

“More cool stuff happening in Deeeetroit– our biggest and soon to be best city :) .” Enthusiasm is so undervalued!

The film debuts nationally on PBS on February 8 at 10 pm but there is a 2 minute preview at the Blue Print for America.  The film layouts the potential repeat of history where Detroit was once the envy of cities for its extensive streetcar system. Did not know that.

While Michigan dreams, those in Washington are taking their time debating the advantage of spending on public transportation, despite data that finds that recent stimulus spending on public transport was more effective than money spent on highways (Smart Growth America).

Maybe they just need a little nudge, contact your senators today. They are currently debating a jobs bill and need reminding that Public Transport = Jobs

Do you share Sally’s excitement for Detroit? For Michigan? Comment below or at My Wheels Are Turning.

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Blogs & Forums, Detroit, Dig Michigan, Media, Michigan, Television & Internet Video | Comments (1)

Tweet & Taste Michigan: Wines of Black Star Farms

February 1, 2010 – 10:20 am
Shannon Casey of Michigan by the BottleShannon Casey is the publisher of MichiganByTheBottle.com, a blog that features original content like tasting notes, articles, in-depth winery video features and weekly video podcasts, as well as links to news stories on Michigan wine from across the Web. The site’s purpose is to educate consumers on the state’s presence in the wine industry, expose hidden gems right in residents’ own backyards and underscore the value of buying local.

Belly Up by photoshoparama
Belly Up by photoshoparama

Social media is changing the Michigan wine landscape. Michigan By the Bottle is teaming up with Black Star Farms for the state's first virtual wine tasting conducted through Twitter. Tweet & Taste Michigan will be held on March 8, 2010 at 8pm.

Michigan wine fans are invited to log onto their computers and participate as we taste through a flight of wines, selected by Black Star Farms winemaker Lee Lutes. Along with myself, featured participants include Lutes, Master Sommelier Claudia Tyagi (winegenie@Twitter), wine educator Bill Wilson (WineforNewbies.net), George Heritier and Kim Adams (Blogs.GangofPour.com), Mike Fifer (TheWineMonologues.com), Chris Ternes (thewineauxs.blogspot.com), and Joel Goldberg (MichWine.com).

We will be tasting 2008 Black Star Farms Arcturos Dry Riesling, 2007 Black Star Farms Arcturos Pinot Noir, and 2007 Black Star Farms Arcturos Barrel Aged Chardonnay. Participants can pick up the wines at their local wine shop or order online at BlackStarFarms.com. Black Star Farms is offering $.01 shipping between Feb. 23 - March 9 to business addresses to encourage participation.

Tweet & Taste MichiganDuring the event, participants will log onto Twitter and search using #ttmi, the Tweet & Taste Michigan hashtag. As the facilitators and winemaker taste through the wines, users can share impressions and ask questions, by adding the #ttmi hashtag to every tweet to ensure everyone participating sees it.

The event, which I will be expanding in future months to include other Michigan wineries, is designed to encourage wine lovers and newbies from throughout the state and beyond to sample a little of what Michigan's wine regions have to offer.

Full details of the event can be found on www.TweetAndTasteMichigan.com.

By farlane | Posted in Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations, Articles, Beer, Wine & Beverages, Blogs & Forums, Breweries & Wineries, Dig Michigan, Food & Dining, Media, Michigan, Shopping, The Michigan Pages, Traverse City | Comments (0)

Photo Friday: Deep in the Depot Town Jungles by allthingsgrow

January 29, 2010 – 7:18 am

Deep in the Depot Town Jungles

In addition to making some pretty cool prints, allthingsgrow has some cool pictures in her the rest slideshow.

She took this picture in Ypsilanti's Depot Town.

Check out her Flickriver.

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Jewelry & Gifts, Michigan, Photo Friday, Photography & Film, Shopping, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Love & Wine in Northern Michigan

January 28, 2010 – 2:54 pm

Cabin fever taking hold? Well here are a couple of great reasons to embrace winter in northern Michigan. On Febraury 6 & 7 the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association presents "Taste the Passion ~ Wine, Chocolate & Love". The following weekend as part of the Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest is the "Traverse City Wine & Art Festival Winter Wine Wonderland" on February 14th. Tickets to these events are limited and we are told they are selling at a steady pace. Get yours today through the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association website. Click on in for all the details

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Beer, Wine & Beverages, Breweries & Wineries, Destinations, Dig Michigan, Dig Michigan Features, Festivals, Attractions & Event Calendars, Food & Dining, Lodging & Travel, Michigan, Offbeat, Recreation & Sports, Shopping, Skiing, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)

Get close to the 2010 Winter Olympics … in Northern Michigan

January 28, 2010 – 9:01 am

SNOWBOARD Training in Gaylord, Michigan by MyWheelsareTurning
SNOWBOARD Training in Gaylord, Michigan
by MyWheelsareTurning

Yesterday my son Jamie returned from the Otsego Club near Gaylord with a shirt covered with signatures and a smile the size of a half pipe. The reason? In Northern Michigan, an Olympic Training Hot Spot Has Emerged in the New York Times explains:

When word spread through the woods of northern Michigan that world-class snowboarders had gathered in this little town to train for the coming Winter X Games and the Vancouver Olympics, locals jokingly asked if they had become horribly lost on their way to a real ski resort in Colorado or British Columbia.

But the elite snowboarding world has discovered neither true Alpine conditions nor a chic ski resort are needed for high-level training. All one needs is enough snow to build a 22-foot halfpipe and get the word out.

The Otsego Club in Gaylord built its first Olympic-size halfpipe for this season, and the world’s elite snowboarders are coming in droves to train.

Read on and really think about taking yourself and/or your kids to see real, live Olympians doing what they do best, right here in Michigan!

While this feature from Michigan Radio dwells overmuch on the dangers of flying 32 feet over rock hard ice, they do have a tremendously sweet video:

About the photo: This photo shows New Zealand rider Ben Stewart launching off of the half-pipe while teammate James Hamilton makes his way up the slope . It was taken by my friend photographer and photojournalist Gary Howe, who also runs a cool blog about alternate modes of transit called My Wheels are Turning.

By farlane | Posted in Articles, Destinations, Dig Michigan, Media, Michigan, Recreation & Sports, Skiing, Television & Internet Video, The Michigan Pages | Comments (0)